JBQ is a modern jazz group primarily playing original compositions that blend Hard Bop and modern excursions. The group began as a trio in 2018, quickly evolving to a quartet and then a quintet incorporating trumpet, saxophone, guitar, bass, and drums. Their 2023 release “Revolution Blues” features inspired solos, melodic tunes, and deep grooves. JBQ is popular in Buffalo area venues like Pause Art House and a steady gig at Duende in Silo City. In addition, they have played high-profile venues, Kleinhans Music Hall and Artpark.
The Buffalo New York based group is led by drummer and composer John Bacon known for his work with Roswell Rudd, Don Menza, Bobby Militello, Bobby Previte and many Western New York ensembles. As a composer, he has received grants from NYFA and NYSCA, and works of various genres have been recorded and released. Groups he has led or co-led include The Buffalo Jazz Composers Workshop, The New Jazz Orchestra of Buffalo, Multi-Jazz Dimensions, The Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble, Star People, and The Morgan Street Stompers. He teaches Jazz and Percussion at SUNY Fredonia and UB.
Elliot Scozzaro is an alto saxophonist who has made a mark on the Buffalo Jazz scene through steady gigs and active performing with his trio, quartet, quintet and tentet. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and currently performs with 80’s rocker Al Stewart. He’s also an educator and composer whose work is featured in the JBQ repertoire. He teaches in the Jazz program at SUNY Fredonia.
John Hasselback III is a talented trumpeter, composer and mixing engineer. In addition to his multi-faceted work as an instrumentalist he co-produced, mixed and did graphic design for the “Revolution Blues” release. He comes from a family of musicians of note and like his parents and grandparents is a
music educator.
Jared Tinkham is a guitarist who brings the range of electric guitar history to his performance. Blistering solos, sensitive comping, energetic grooving all combine with keen harmonic and melodic expression. He is equally dedicated as an educator at the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts.
Ed Croft is a versatile acoustic and electric bassist as likely to be found in a jazz group as singing and playing guitar in Country music settings. Like Scozzaro and Bacon he is a leader on the Buffalo scene organizing differing ensembles and presenting thematic concerts. Like the others he is an educator
teaching in the SUNY Fredonia Music Business program.
